Digital technology impact on libraries could be devastating

The digital revolution is defining how the young and old will read and learn in the 21st century. The library of the future is here, today, on the internet. 1 in 4 books sold in 2012 were digital books. eBooks” share is project to be 40-50 percent of book sales in 2016 when the library is built.? Does it make sense to spend $23 million to build this warehouse for paper books?

-????????? Libraries are struggling to pay publishers’ high prices for e-book subscriptions, whereas consumers typically pay much less to buy e-books.

-????????? Students are using their iPads to learn and do research on the internet. Shrewsbury schools are running an iPad pilot program in grades 5-7.

-????????? The digital revolution does not bode well for libraries, today.

-????????? Commuters can read the morning news on their iPad or iPhone.

-????????? eBooks have lots of built-in features, a dictionary and the ability to make notes in a text.

-????????? You can download thousands of movies from Netflix.

-????????? 46 percent of young children have read at least one animated digital book for kids.

-????????? In September 2013, a public library in San Antonio, Texas opened with no paper books; the collection is entirely electronic, paperless.

The digital revolution has taken hold and has essentially ended the need for libraries to increase their physical size.

They want you to spend $23 million to build an outdated, oversized library.? I urge you to vote “No.”